Universal tool



y 1943- H. LONG 2,318,172..

UNIVERSAL TOOL Filed July 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Asa INVENTOK 7% h I Lam pa M; ATTORNEY May 4, 1943. LONG v 2,318,172

" UNIVERSAL TOOL Filed July 22. 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ti .15 Z54 INVENTOK I Q 1 u k 0/2 7/ ATTORNEY May 4, 1943.

H.ILQNG UNIVERSAL TOOL Filed July 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 K 0 m T O wf WW A W Patented May 4, 1943 UNETED TENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a universal tool. More particularly, the invention contemplates a compact, light weight portable apparatus that may readily be converted to be used for a number of purposes. For example, the tool may be used as a lathe, drill press and a plumbers snake, root borer, or drain cleaner.

This application discloses matter similar to that disclosed in my application filed September 24, 1938, under the name of Hugh Long, Serial No. 231,558, now Patent No. 2,259,899, for Universal tool.

It is one of the objects of improve in the general the structure and operation of devices of this character.

In connection with plumbers equipment, the eificient use of a snake is quite important. Such snakes usually are in the form of a flexible shaft, that may be readily coiled about a support or in a cage, and that may carry at its advancing end, an augur or drain cleaner. It is another object of this invention to facilitate the operation of such snakes, and especially by providing a support therefore that can be adjusted to the most convenient position for manipulation of the snake; and to make it possible to exert a large turning moment on the snake While the operator is permitted to assume a comfortable position. This object is attained by the facility of adjustment of the supports, angularly as well as in height.

It is still another object of this invention to improve in general, snake operating devices of this character.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms, which illustrate the general principles of my invention, will now be described in detail; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of a portion of the apparatus illustrated .in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view illustrating the this invention to manner in which certain of the elements of the apparatus of Fig. 1 may be coupled together;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a part of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along plane 11 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating another manner of use of the apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation taken from the right hand side of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the plane IIII of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a sectional View of the chucking mechanism adapted to be utilized in connection with the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along the plane I l-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is atop plan view of the chucking mechanism with some of the parts removed in order to illustrate the clamping bars;

Fig. 16 is a pictorial view of one of the clamping bars;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 1, of a snake operating mechanism, but including reduction gearing; V

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along plane I8-I8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along plane III-I9 of Fig. 17; and

Fig. is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a modified form of cage construction.

An adjustable support is provided that may be effectively used in connection with the operation of a plumbers snake. A single bar support I (Figs. 1 and 2) may be provided which carries the clamping semi-circular disks I66 and I61. The base I68 carries corresponding semi-circular clamping disks I69 and I10. A link I1I is pivotally mounted at its opposite end in theaxes of the disk structures I66-I61 and |69-I10, whereby the angle and height of the support I65 may be adjusted. The clamping mechanism to hold the apparatus in adjustment is shown to best advantage in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10. Thus the link I1I may be provided at its opposite ends with the clevises I12 and I13 which enter between the spaced clamping disks I66-l 61 and this purpose the hollow i.89-I19. The pivot bolts I14 and I15 pass through these clevises. The clevises also carry the clamping bolts I16 and I11. These clamping bolts also pass through the clamps I19 overlapping the edges of the corresponding disk member and tightened against them by manipulation of the handle nuts I19-I89. Any appropriate device may be utilized for preventing rotation of the clamps I18 about the axis of the corresponding clamping bolt; such for example as dowel pins. The head of the bolts I16 and I11 may be accommodated in a groove formed in the corresponding clamping member I18 to prevent the clamping bolt I16 from turning. As shown most clearly in Fig. 9, each of the clamps I18 may be provided with a knife edge I9I cooperating with a groove in the corresponding clevis H2 or I13. Provisions are made whereby the length of the link structure joining the base I58 to the support I95 may be adjusted. As shown in Fig. 1 the clevises I12 and I13 may be slidably accommodated on the intermediate pipe member I1I. The thumb screws I82 may be used to clamp the clevises in any angularly adjusted position on the intermediate member I1 I.

If a greater height is desired, provisions may be made to form a telescoping joint that may be adjustable for height. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 3, l1 and 12. In this form the clevis I13 is shown as accommodating a post I83 joined to the hollow tubular member I84 of any desired length. Telescoping within the tube I84 is a rod I85 joined to the upper clevis I12.

In order to hold the two telescoping members I99 and I85 in any adjusted position, the upper end of the tubular member I84 is arranged to be compressed around the rod I85. For this purpose the upper end of the tubular member I94 is shown as slottedas at I89 (Fig. 12). A collar I91 may be joined at one point to the top of the member I84. At a diametrically opposite point a clamping screw I88 may be provided for tightening the member I94 around the rod I85. The support I55 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as providing a rotatable support for a snake spindle E99. This spindle is shown as being made up of a hollow front portion I9I into which the snake I99 may project to pass outwardly in .the front of the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. For portion I9I is shown as a slot I92. Adjacent the slot open- I93 may be inserted in the to guide the snake I99 into provided with ing a tapered plug hollow member I9I the slot.

The manner in which the clamped in the snake spindle I89 will hereinafter.

The supporting bearings for the spindle structure I89 include the upright posts I94 and I95 projecting from support I55. These posts are shown as threaded into the half-round seats I95 snake I99 may be be described and I91. Disposed in the half-round seat I91 attached to post I95 there is a journal sleeve I98. This sleeve I98 is clamped firmly in its seat by the aid of a cap I99 pivoted at one side to the seat member I91. A clamping thumb screw 299 serves to hold the cap I99 firmly in place. The spindle I89 is journaled within the sleeve I98.

Similarly, the seat I96 at the left hand end of the apparatus firmly holds a bearing sleeve 29!. In order to restrict axial movement of the spindle I89 with respect to the bearings, the hollow portion I9I may carry the spaced collars 292 and 293 adjacent the opposite ends of the bearing sleeve 29L The snake I90 is arranged as is well understood, to carry appropriate tools at its free ends, such as augurs or drain cleaners or reamers or the like. It is necessary that the unused portion be properly maintained in a reservoir space, as for example a snake cage. Such a cage 294 is illustrated in the present instance as mounted coaxially with the spindle I89. It may be in the form of a sheet metal member having a conical portion 295 and a rear wall 295. This rear wall 299 is so formed as to provide an interior annular space defined by the conical walls 291 and 298. A reentrant sleeve-like portion 299 forms the inner wall of the annular space. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, the snake I99 is shown as joining a plurality of convoluted turns 2 i9 within a the cage 294.

The manner in which the cage 294 is supported by the aid of the reentrant sleeve 299 upon the spindle I89 will be hereinafter described. The spindle I99 is shown as capable of manual rotation, as by the aid of a handle structure 2II attached to the right hand end of the spindle I89, as by the aid of a screw 2I2. During the rotation of spindle I89 the snake I99 is also rotated, since the snake may be clamped by the aid of a chucking device. During this rotation, provision should be made to permit the cage 294 to rotate also. For this purpose the reent'rant sleeve 299 carries a tapered elongated tubular bearing supporting member 2I3. This member 2I3 surrounds the spindle I99 and carries the outer races of a pair of spaced ball bearing structures 2I4 and 2I5. The inner races of these ball bearing structures are supported directly upon the spindle I89. The snake is passed into the cage 294 through any one of a number of apertures 2I5 provided in a flange 2I1. This flange 2I1 has a lip 2IB extending beneath the. open edge of the cage 294. The flange 2I1 is provided with a hub 2 I 9 by the aid of which it may be fastened to the spindle I99.

The manipulation of the snake I99 under various conditions may involve an advancement or retraction of the snake I99 through the hollow member I9I. Under such circumstances the snake should be free to coil and uncoil within the cage 294. The provision of the bearing structures 2I'4 and 2I5 permits the cage 294 to rotate to the proper extent to accomplish this coiling or uncoiling of the snake I99. If desired, however, the free rotation of the cage 294 about the spindle axis may be restrained as by a braking arrangement. Such a braking arrangement is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 3, 6 and 7. It may include a flexible brake disk 229 adapted to be urged against the right hand surface of the bearing support member 2 I3. The disk 229 encompasses the spindle I99 and is supported by the aid of the bearing sleeve I98. For example, this hearing sleeve may support a threaded collar 22I having a flange 222. A rivet or other fastening device 223 passes through the flange 222 and the disk 229. Diametrically opposite the place where the disk 229 is joined to the flange 222, means are provided for flexing the disk 229 against the member 2I3. For example, a thumb screw 224 may be provided for this purpose. This thumb screw is threaded through the flange 222. It may be adjusted to provide the desired pressure against the brake disk 229.

In some instances it may be desirable to clamp the snake I99 within the spindle I89. A clamping chuck structure is provided for this purpose at the left hand end of the spindle. This chuck is illustrated to best advantage in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive. A

The chuck structure may be coupled to the hollow portion I 9| of the spindle I89 .by the aid of a-pipe union 225 (Fig. 4). This pipe union may be provided with a pair of thumb screws 226. These thumb screws engage respectively the pipe threads221 on the end of the extension I9I and the pipe threads 228 formed on the hollow chuck body 229 (Fig. 13). The snake I99 passes through the body 229 and is clamped to the body by the aid of a series of angularly spaced gripping bars 239. Each of these gripping bars has a narrow tapered inner edge 231. The body 229 is provided with a series of radial slots 232 through which the bars may pass.

The gripping action of the bars 239 is efiected by the aid of a chuck operating member 233. This member is in the form of a hollow sleeve having an internal tapered surface 234 coacting with correspondingly tapered surfaces 235 on the outer edge of each of the bars 239. As shown most clearly by the aid of Fig. 13, movement of the operating member 233 toward the right will serve to contract the bars 239 against the snake I90. Movement of the operating member 233 toward the left will release the pressure on the bars 239 for releasing the snake I99.

The axial movement of operating member 233 for engaging and releasing the snake I99 is eff'ected by the aid of a hand wheel 236 threaded on the body 229. A collar 231 fastened as by set screw 238 on a cylindrical portion of the body 229 provides a limit for the travel of the hand wheel 236 toward the left. A similar collar 239 is disposed on a cylindrical portion of the body 229, and serves also as a guide for the right hand end of the operating member 233.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 13 and 16, each of the gripping bars 23I is provided with extensions 240 and 24 I, which serve as stops against the edges of the apertures 232 and to ensure that the bars will not drop too far inwardly into the hollow body 229 when the snake I 99 is withdrawn.

In order to hold the bars 230 in assembled relation prior to the assembly of the operating member 233, wire ties 242 and 243 may be provided, passing through appropriate apertures 244, 245 in the bars 239.

The operation of the snake mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, especially when it is mounted upon the extension stand illustrated in Fig. 8, may be now set forth. When it is desired for example to clean out a drain, the height of the standard may be adjusted for maximum convenience, the spindle being appropriately directed toward the drain. A portion of the snake is then inserted in the drain and a generally axial motion imparted to that portion by swinging the entire mechanism to and fro about bolts I14 and I15 as pivots, the clamp handles I19 and I89 being loose so as to permit such movement readily. At the same time the snake may be rotated by operation of handle 2I I, it being assumed that the chuck structure is out of gripping relation with the snake. Alternatively, the chuck structure can be operated to clamp the snake I90 while the to and fro motion of the snake mechanism is eifected.

The support I65 with the adjustable standard may be utilized as illustrated in Fig. 8, for supporting a bit brace. The angular position of the manually operated bit brace may be adjusted as heretofore described in connection with the snake cage illustrated in Fig. 1. This bit brace is provided with an operating handle and ratchet mechanism H for rotating a bevel gear 42. Furthermore, the hollow spindle 29 of the bit brace may be provided with extensions for cooperating with the seats I96 and I91. Thus the lower end of the spindle 29 may carry the coupling 221 for the spindle extension 248. The lower end of this spindle extension may be provided with a supplemental coupling 249 adapted to carry a tool or the like. Similarly at the upper end of the spindle 29 a coupling member 259 is utilized for the spindle extension 25L A hand grip 252 may be coupled to the upper end of the extension.

At times an increased turning moment is needed to be applied to the snake I99. Under such circumstances a supplemental reduction gearing may be eifectively employed in connection with the snake mechanism. As illustrated most clearly in Figs. 17 and 18, for this purpose use may be made of the brace bit gearing and the hollow spindle 29. Thus the handle structure 2I I, Fig. l, is removed from the end of the spindle I89. This threaded end of the spindle may then be coupled as by coupling member 256 (Fig. 19) to the hollow spindle 20 of the brace bit, including the ratchet handle H.

In order to provide a firm support for the brace bit structure, a pipe 251 is threaded into the horizontal portion of the support I65 to serve as an extension thereof. Projecting from this member 251 is a brace rod 258 fastened as by the aid of the screw 259 into the stub shaft 39I of the brace bit.

The reduction gearing alforded by the bevel gear 92 and the cooperating bevel gears 49 and ll of the brace bit makes it possible to exert a much greater turning moment upon the snake I99.

Another form of snake cage and support is illustrated in Fig. 20. The snake I in this form passes through a hollow spindle 269 corresponding to the spindle I89 of the form shown in Fig. 1. The cage 26I is shown as rotatably supported upon the spindle 260 by the aid of the ball bearing structures 262 and 263 respectively at the left and right hand portion of the cage structure. The inner races of these ball bearing structures are shown as accommodated on reduced portions of the spindle 269, and as abutting against shoulders formed thereon. The outer races are accommodated in the flanges 264 and 265 carried by the cage 26I. The snake I99 passes through an elongated slot 266 of the spindle 269. This slot 266 is located in such manner that the snake I99 passes through the slot 266 directly into the inside of the cage 26I. A plug 261 with a sloping face 268 may be located within the spindle 269 adjacent the right hand end of the slot 266 for guiding the snake I99 in a proper direction as it enters the cage 26I. The manner of use and the supporting of the spindle 269, however, may be substantially identical with that described in connection with the form illustrated in Fig. 1.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a hollow spindle, a snake cage rotatably supported by the spindle, means for rotatably supporting said spindle, a standard for thespindle support, a base for the standard, said standard having freedom of angular movement with respect to said base, said support having freedom of angular movement about an axis transverse to the spindle axis, with respect to the standard, said movements being in substantially the same plane,

and means for optionally restraining the standmeans for optionally restraining said standard ard and the support against said angular moveagainst angular motion, about its pivot, a supment. porting structure pivotally mounted on top of the 2. In a device of the character described, a standard, about an axis parallel to the axis of hollow spindle, means for rotatably supporting 5 the standard pivot on the base, said axis being in said spindle, a snake cage rotatably mounted on the same plane, means for optionally restrainthe spindle, a collar fastened to the spindle suping said supporting structure against angualr port, a flexible brake ring axially spaced from motion about its pivot, a hollow rotary spindle the cage and joined at one point to the collar, mounted on said structure, having an axis transand means acting to urge the ring against the 10 verse to those of the pivots, and a snake cage cage, at a place remote from the said point. rotatably supported on the spindle.

3. In a device of the character described, a base, a standard pivotally supported by said base, HUGH LONG. 

